Featured

Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32: MD1 Preview

The Australian football spotlight will turn to the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 tomorrow night (Wednesday 26 July 2017) as eight aspiring Member Federation clubs dream of continuing a magical Cup.

The night’s headline match, which will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS (Channel 505), features proud former NSL club South Melbourne hosting Edgeworth Eagles, the Northern NSW outfit competing in the Round of 32 for the third straight year, at Lakeside Stadium.

It will also be a special night for two clubs from New South Wales’ second division (PS4 NPL 2), Hills United and Bankstown Berries, as they prepare to make their debuts in the Westfield FFA Cup Final Rounds.

Hills United, whose squad comprises a host of former and current Futsalroos including captain Greg Giovenali, take on Hakoah Sydney City East, coached by ex Scottish international Gavin Rae, who played in the 2008 FA Cup Final for Cardiff City.

Bankstown Berries were one of the first football clubs formed in Sydney back in 1886, and the club that has seen the likes of Johnny Warren, Graham Arnold, Charlie Yankos and John Watkiss pass through their ranks, find themselves on the national stage hosting South Australia’s Round of 32 entrant MetroStars at Bankstown’s Jensen Park.

The Berries beat former NSL club Sydney Olympic to qualify for this stage and they will need to cause another upset to overcome a MetroStars side making their third straight Round of 32 appearance.

The night’s final match, which kicks off 30 minutes later, sees WA side Sorrento at home to last year’s semi finalists, Canberra Olympic.

Coached by former Perth Glory defender Jamie Harnwell, the Gulls will be hoping a vocal home crowd can give them the edge against a Canberra Olympic side led by cult figure, penalty taking goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou. Ominously, Canberra Olympic currently sit six points clear at the top of their league table.

Opening night of the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 has traditionally become Member Federation night and with the clubs and players having the chance to add themselves to the growing list of Westfield FFA Cup folklore, it promises to be a night not to be missed.